Life expectancy at birth remains highest in South of England

Life expectancy at birth in the UK for 2006-08 was highest in the South of England, according to new figures released today by the Office for National Statistics.

Life expectancy was 79.2 years for males in the South East and 83.1 years for females in the South West. In contrast, Scotland had the lowest life expectancy at birth in the UK at 75.0 years for males and 79.9 years for females.

Over the period 1991-93 to 2006-08 life expectancy at birth has improved in all countries and regions of the UK. The biggest improvements were in London, which had increases of 4.9 years for males and 3.4 years for females. The smallest increases were in Scotland for males (3.5 years) and in Wales for females (2.4 years).